Clinton joins Man City as Park moves to Man Utd

Grace Clinton, a midfielder for Manchester United, has left for Manchester City, while Jess Park, an England team-mate, will turn the other way on Women’s Super League transfer deadline day.

With only a year left on her contract and no renewal date set, Clinton, 22, had attracted interest from a number of clubs this summer.

Rivals City was eager to sign her, which softened the situation by allowing fellow England international Park to transfer to United in return.

Both players, who won the England squad that won the Euro 2025, have four-year contracts.

Although neither club would reveal the players’ transfer fees, it is believed that City paid more for Clinton, leaving United with a net sum as a result.

Clinton described her departure from United as “a very difficult decision for me because of the love I have for my team-mates and for you, the fans,” in a social media post earlier on Thursday night. However, I don’t agree on the club’s future.

The next step is “growth,” in my opinion. I want to keep learning and developing.

She continued, “I want to get better, grow, and learn things in my career, and I think there are amazing people here to learn from.” It will be really enjoyable to play this type of football.

On Wednesday night, Park, 23, completed a medical procedure at Carrington, which accelerated City’s discussions with Clinton.

Although the deals are separate, Park is regarded as a strong replacement for Clinton given that United values her as a high-quality addition.

I wanted to push myself to take on a new challenge and push myself beyond the bounds. I think this is the ideal place for me to continue improving and pushing boundaries, said Park.

I believe I can fit in very well because I’m a player who wants the ball and likes to look up and try to make things happen for my team-mates when I get it. I want to assist the team in moving forward with their high goals, which I am aware of.

Clinton’s supporters wanted to keep her, but they also wanted to avoid having her for free next year.

Clinton has a reputation as one of England’s most promising players, having made a lasting impression on the international stage.

She made Sarina Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad, where she started as a substitute in five of England’s six matches, and scored in her debut against Austria in a 7-2 defeat in February 2024.

The 2022-batch graduate from Everton Academy signed for United in 2022, but he also spent two successful seasons on loan at Tottenham and Bristol City before consistently joining Skinner’s squad.

Clinton’s future with United was unavoidable, but the club added a year-long extension to her contract this summer.

As a result, United was able to take financial offers into account even if they came from rivals Manchester City because they were concerned about a prominent player leaving the club on a free transfer, as had previously happened with Russo and Earps.

United will have a ready-made replacement as a result of Park’s arrival under a different agreement.

United can take confidence in their ability to attract Park, who has made an equally positive impression in recent years, despite Clinton’s departure, which is undoubtedly a blow.

Between them, Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti Olme, who are also summer signings, have won 169 international caps.

Park made her England debut against Japan in November 2022 with a score that Park scored on a loan at Everton two seasons ago.

Park regularly volunteered, despite the competition for spots at City, and believes that along with England team-mate Ella Toone, she has the potential to play a key role in the future.

She joins City after eight years of helping them win the FA Cup and two League Cups.